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Source 1
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/between-the-folds/history.html
1 Composed of the Japanese words oru (to fold) and kami (paper)
2 Paper was first invented in China around 105 A.D., and was brought to Japan by monks in the sixth century.
3 Handmade paper was a luxury item only available to a few, and paper folding in ancient Japan was strictly for ceremonial purposes, often religious in nature
4 By the Edo period (1603–1868), paper folding in Japan had become recreational as well as ceremonial, often featuring multiple cuts and folds.
5 Written instructions for paper folding first appeared in 1797, with Akisato Rito’s
Sembazuru Orikata, or “thousand crane folding.”
6 In 1845, Adachi Kazuyuki published a more comprehensive compilation of paper folding with Kayaragusa; by the late 1800s, the term for paper folding had morphed from orikata (“folded shapes”) to origami.
7 Traditional origami is characterized by open-access folding patterns and sequences passed down orally or anonymously from generation to generation.
8 Modern origami often features models created by designers. Many of these models are considered copyrightable material or intellectual property. Modern origami often prioritizes a puzzle aspect to the folding, and the challenge of folding a single square of paper without using cuts or glue.
9 Akira Yoshizawa, who died in 2005 at age 94, is considered one of the progenitors of modern origami.
10 In the 1930s, he developed a system of folding patterns employing a set of symbols, arrows and diagrams
11 By the 1950s, these patterns were published and widely available, contributing to origami’s global reach and standardization.
12 Yoshizawa and other origami masters formed local and international organizations publicizing the art.
13 Today, origami has expanded to incorporate advanced mathematical theories
14 Mathematical origami pioneers like Jun Maekawa and Peter Engel designed complex and mathematically based crease patterns prior to folding
15 Artistic origami has also enjoyed a recent resurgence, with abstract paper folders such as Paul Jackson and Jean-Claude Correia.

Source 2
http://library.thinkquest.org/27458/nf/origami/history.html
1 that the art’s origins took root during the early seventh century
2 technique of paper making was introduced to Japan by China
3 The Chinese developed some early paper folding techniques which were later brought to Japan
4 The introduction of paper had a large impact on Japanese culture, as the Japanese adopted these folding techniques.
5 It also influenced their architecture and rituals of everyday life
6 For the most part, early uses for origami were for formal and practical purposes
7 folding letters and other paper items was a common practice
8 This changed with the beginning of the Edo period (1600-1868) as origami changed from a practical, exquisite and beautiful form of art.
9 The blossoming of the origami art in the Edo period is attributed to the new availability of a cheap and mass-produced form of paper
10 The paper that was folded during this period took the form of actual objects, such as cranes and boats, rather than simple paper folds.
11 The folds which had been developed prior to the Edo period had been passed down generation to generation.
12 The first written work about origami, titled Senbazuru Orikata (How to Fold One Thousand Cranes) , was not published until 1797.
13 It was shortly after several collections were published that a name for this art was formally created
14 It was called origami, from the Japanese words oru (meaning to fold) and kami (meaning paper).
15 The beginning of modern origami were developed by Akira Yoshizawa in the 1930’s. He is responsible for the creation of thousands of modern day techniques and patterns for folding

Source 3
http://www.origami-resource-center.com/history-of-origami.html
1 Unlike other art forms, paper degrades quickly leaving no artifacts to suggest where origami originated and who first invented it
2 paper was first invented in China by Cai Lun (also written Ts'ai Lun) in 105 A.D.
3 One can imagine that if there's paper, then the paper may have been folded as well. There is no evidence of this but, if it was true, then paper folding would have started here.
4During the 6th century, paper was introduced into Japan by Buddhist monks (sometimes attributed to one monk in particular, named Dokyo).
5 It is here that paper folding became an art form and evolved into what we know today as origami.
6 Initially, paper was expensive and therefore not available to the general public
7 Paper folding, was not a hobby: it was for formal functions.
8 "Origami Tsuki" was a folded piece of paper that accompanied a valuable gift and it served as a certificate of authenticity.
9 "Noshi" was folded-paper that accompanied gifts and functioned as tokens of good fortune
10 "Tsutsumi" was formal gift wrappers. These ceremonial folds were simple and symbolized sincerity and purity.
11 During these early years, paper butterflies were used to adorn sake (Japanese wine) bottles in wedding ceremonies
12 These butterflies, called “Mecho” and “Ocho”, are probably the earliest form of representational origami.
13 Paper folding also developed in Spain sometime between the 8th and 12th century.
14 Historians believe that paper and paper-making was introduced into Europe from Asia via the Silk Route
15 It is not clear whether paper-folding was invented in Europe independently or if it was also introduced from Asia.

Source 4
http://home.earthlink.net/~robertcubie/origami/intro.html
1 Origami is the ancient art of Japanese paper folding, an art form spanning over 1,000 years.
2 A folk art, a creative art, a mathematical puzzle, a game-- all of these terms describe origami.
3 Some people are attracted to origami for its simplicity, while others marvel at the minds of people who can devise the patterns for such ingenious creations. Some look to origami as a way to entertain, while others find it has a calming, relaxing effect.
4 Origami is unique among paper crafts in that it requires no materials other than the paper itself.
5 Cutting, gluing, or drawing on the paper is avoided, using only paper folding to create the desired result.
6 No special skills or artistic talent are needed for origami, although a good amount of patience and perseverance are very helpful. Models can be folded by following instructions exactly. Experimenting with different folds may lead to a totally new, original paper-fold.
7 The word "origami" comes from the Japanese language. "Ori" means folded and "kami" means paper. Paper-folding as a traditional folding art pervaded the Japanese culture more strongly than any other. But traditional paper-folding did not exist in Japan alone.
8 Papermaking was developed in China two thousand years ago but the Chinese did not readily share this knowledge.
9 It eventually traveled to Korea and then Japan by the seventh century. This "trade secret" then spread in the direction of the Arab world, reaching Spain by the twelfth century.
10 Origami was first practiced in the Japanese imperial Court, where it was considered an amusing and elegant way of passing the time.
11 Over the centuries the skill has been passed down to ordinary people, who took it up with enthusiasm and made it into the folk art that it is today.
12 Today in Japan the art of paper-folding is as widely practiced by children, parents and grandparents as it was centuries ago. And for a number of years now origami has been immensely popular here in the western world.
13 During this journey, did simple paper-folding spread with the knowledge of papermaking? Or did each country independently discover that paper could not only be written and drawn on, but manipulated into forms? Despite the fact that some traditional models from different paper-folding traditions are similar, most people believe that each tradition developed its own paper-folding ideas.
14 Today, origami is an international creative pastime. Building upon the basics of the traditional designs, many folders follow the creative path of leaders such as Master Akira Yoshizawa and philosopher Miguel de Unanmuno, devising their own new designs. .
15 Originally considered a child's activity origami now attracts the interest of mathematicians, engineers, scientists, computer programmers, college professors and professional artists

Source 5
http://origami.gr.jp/Archives/People/OKMR_/history-e.html
1The technique of paper making, which was introduced into Japan from China during the early seventh century, underwent considerable changes in its manufacturing process in Japan giving rise to a type of paper possessing dual qualities of resilient sturdiness and softness which prevents tearing when it is handled, Washi, a unique and distinct type of Japanese paper kindled many forms of cultural creativity, among them origami.
2 Unfortunately, it is not clear when origami in Japan first originated, However, what is known is that from old, letters and paper to wrap items in were folded.
3 A well-regulated lifestyle came with the advent of samurai society which gave rise to the art of paper folding for practical and formal purposes
4 Recently, however, particularly from the onset of the Showa period (1926-1989), the art has rapidly passed into oblivion, but a vestige of its former use can still be seen in the noshi, a decoration of folded red and white paper attached to a gift.
5 Origami made to assume concrete shapes of, for example, a crane or boat is regarded as origami for pure enjoyment
6 However, I feel that these were probably once made for the purpose of bearing the illnesses and misfortunes that befell a person.
7 They began to be made sometime around the beginning of the Edo period (1600-1868) which coincided with an age in which mass-produced, low-priced paper came to be widely used among the people.
8 During the Genroku era (1688-1704), origami of the crane and several varieties of boats used as designs on clothing became fashionable, and they were also reproduced with great frequency in Ukiyoe prints. Origami rapidly came to have a wide following during this period.
9 About a hundred years later, books and printed matter devoted exclusively to origami were published, creating a diverse and advanced form of origami. They were not only a form of children's amusement, but because they were also intended for adults, many of these origami were difficult to make and incorporated many complicated steps.
10 The technique of paper making was introduced into Europe in the twelfth century producing a distinct form of origami. However, origami was not taken up by a large number of people as it was in Japan.
11 During the Meiji period (1868-1912), origami was used as a teaching tool in the kindergarten and elementary school levels.
12 During the Meiji period alone, there were many new origami creations conceived by numerous unknown inventors
13 However because origami required following precise directions, origami was not well received during the Taishou period (1912-1926), a time when educators favored placing importance on originality and creativity
14 Origami was deemed as lacking in these qualities. However, braced by a long history, origami once again regained its popularity.
15 Not only are there now many imaginative and novel origami creations, but its educational worth and immense potential have been also reconsidered and recognized. Origami has gained a widespread following as a hobby among adults. There are now many origami associations that have been formed overseas by origami enthusiasts.

Source 6
http://www.tinyshiny.com/OrigamiHistory.php
1 The Japanese developed another processing method using different materials.
2 They created "Washi" which is a high quality Japanese paper. This paper is resilient and soft, and does not tear when handled.
3Around the 10th century, paper was used for wrapping items or letters. It became fashionable to decorate letters and gifts with artfully folded paper.
4 A well-regulated lifestyle came with the advent of the samurai society, which gave rise to the art of paper folding for practical and formal purposes. It was also used in religious ceremonies.
5 Today, a vestige of its former use can still be seen in the "noshi", a decoration of folded red and white paper attached to a gift.
6 Origami was made to assume concrete shapes like cranes or boats. This is regarded as origami for pure enjoyment and called "play origami"
7 In the Edo period (1600-1868), mass-produced, low-priced paper first became available.
8 It quickly grew in popularity among all the people, not just the elite class. People enjoyed "play origami " as decorative elements or toys.
9 In 1797, the oldest Origami book in the world "Senbazuruorikata" was published by Tamehachi Yoshinoya, and introduced the way to fold 49 kinds of continued Origami without cutting a sheet of paper.
10 In 1845, the book "Kayarasou" was published. This era produced many Origami creators.
11 During the Genroku era (1688-1704), it became fashionable to use origami cranes and several varieties of boats as designs on clothing.
12 Boat and crane origami were also reproduced with great frequency in Ukiyoe prints. Origami rapidly came to have a wide following during this period.
13 During the Meiji period (1868-1912), origami was used as a teaching tool in the kindergarten and elementary school levels
14 Not only are there now many imaginative and novel origami creations,
15 educational worth and immense potential have been reconsidered and recognized.

Source 7
http://www.origami.vancouver.bc.ca/Info/history.php
1 since the invention of paper is credited to Ts'ai Lun of China in A.D. 105, paper folding must have been invented soon after
2 Paper was then introduced to Japan in the late sixth century by Buddhist monks, and paper folding was brought along with it.
3 In Japan, paper was considered an expensive commodity, and it was used in many aspects of Japanese life, most notably in architecture.
4 Certain origami models were incorporated into religious (Shinto) ceremonies
5 In fact, the word for paper, kami, is a homonym for the word for spirit or god. The designs associated with Shintoist ceremony have remained unchanged over the centuries.
6 However, since there are no known Chinese records of paper folding, and since the oldest Japanese records date only to the 18th century, other historians claim that origami is definitely a Japanese invention
7 Regardless of its ultimate origin, Japan is recognized as the country that most fully developed the traditional art of origami.
8 The Japanese transmitted their designs via an oral tradition, with the recreational designs being passed from mother to daughter. Because nothing was ever written down, only the simplest designs were kept.
9 The first written instructions appeared in AD 1797 with the publication of the Senbazuru Orikata (Thousand Crane Folding). One portion of the Kayaragusa (also known as Kan no mado or Window on Midwinter), an encyclopedia of Japanese culture published in 1845, included a comprehensive collection of traditional Japanese figures
10 The name origami was coined in 1880 from the words oru (to fold) and kami (paper). Previously, the art was called orikata ("folded shapes").
11 Meanwhile, paperfolding was also being developed in Spain. The secret of papermaking reached the Arabic world in the eighth century, and the Arabs brought it to Spain in the 12th century.
12 Modern origami owes a great deal to the efforts of //YOSHIZAWA Akira//. After centuries of people folding the same traditional models, Master Yoshizawa published books with completely new models starting in the early 1950's
13 He, together with American Sam Randlett, also developed the standard set of origami diagram symbols that is still used today
14 Exhibitions of his work, both in Japan and around the world, introduced origami to many people, leading to the formation of various origami associations including the Origami Center of America (now OrigamiUSA), and the British Origami Society
15 Now there are origami masters and enthusiasts in many countries, forming a widespread but close-knit community. Yoshizawa, who died in 2005 at the age of 94, is still regarded as the grandmaster of origami.

Source 8
http://www.origami-cdo.it/articoli/storigen.htm
1Origami is a word of Japanese origins which stands for : "folding paper" or "folded paper", according to the context in which it is used, and it is a technique through which one can make several figures and shapes by folding one or more paper sheets.
2 Probably, the history of Origami started with the invention of paper itself, which has been officially stated in 105 A.D. in China. Among its uncountable gifts, this new material could be folded many times without being torn "holding its shape".
3 Origami might have been born in that time, but we cannot be absolutely certain, therefore we have to wait until 610 A.D., when a Buddhist monk brought to Japan the technique of paper fabrication.
4 In spite of its rapid diffusion, paper remained for years a rare and precious material, used for religious ceremonies or on other important occasions
5 Paper was not used to make models as we intend today but rather to create abstract figures with a symbolic and ritual meaning, following strict formal rules known only to a small number of specialists.
6 One of the oldest examples goes back to the Heian period (794 - 1185 A.D.): a folded paper sheet was used to cover thesake bottle on the altar as a favourable offer during religious ceremonies.
7 In the same period we have stylized models which represent a male butterfly (o-cho) and a female butterfly (me-cho).
8 They were hang to the neck of two empty sake bottles for a peculiar wishing rite during the Shinto ceremonial weddings, a custom which is followed even nowadays.
9 The most important figure in theKamakura period (1185 - 1333 A.D.) is the noshi. This is short for noshi-awabi, a sun dried stripe of marine mollusc meat.
10 Its original meaning is unknown, probably the offer of this type of food, so highly regarded in Medieval Japan, was considered as a wish of good luck
11 It is to be noticed that noshi, at variance from other traditional models, is obtained by a simple fold, without any cut. Later on, this tendency shall become predominant in the so called "modern origami".
12 The folding techniques for the various figures were handed down orally, generation by generation, until the beginning of the XVIII century, when the first books with folding instructions are supposed to have appeared
13 The repertory, anyway, was not various. Basically they were published models taken from the oral tradition (such as: crane, frogs, stars, boxes, small dolls, decorations..); the folding schemes were reported without any innovation.
14 Folds, relatively simple and easy to be memorised, allowed the realisation of stylized and basic topics.
15 Between the XVI and the XVII century, the technique of folding paper was known in Europe too, especially in Spain and in Italy.

Source 9
www.saintjoe.edu/~karend/m111/Origami.ppt
1 Paper invented in China over 2000 years ago.
2Origami first recognized in 1st century ad China
3 paper introduce to Japan 6th century
4 paper was an expensive commodity and was often privileged to the wealthy
5 Origami incorporated an architectural and religious Shinto ceremonies
6 Early on this Japanese culture was passed along only by mouth.
7No written records made only the simplest designs to survive.
8 First documentation appeared in 1797, Senbazuru Orikata (Thousand Crane Folding)
9 The Kayaragusa (encyclopedia of Japanese Culture) in 1845 also published many figures.
10 Origami literally translated is “paper folding.” Name created in 1880, whereas it was previously called Orikata which translates “folded shapes.”

11 Spain is also noted to have caught on to Origami in the 12th century when the Arabs introduced it.
12 Under the Arab rule no representational figures were allowed, but after said regime, Spain expanded beyond solely geometrical shapes.
13 Yoshizawa Akira – early 50’s published many books with new models.
14 Along with Sam Randlett, developed symbols used for instruction.
15 Lead into creation of Origami USA and The British Origami Society.

Source 10
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/amp/collection/museum_invention_paper.htm
1AD 105 is often cited as the year in which papermaking was invented. In that year, historical records show that the invention of paper was reported to the Chinese Emperor by Ts'ai Lun,
2 Recent archaeological investigations, however, place the actual invention of papermaking some 200 years earlier
3 Ancient paper pieces from the Xuanquanzhi ruins of Dunhuang in China's northwest Gansu province apparently were made during the period of Emperor Wu who reigned between 140 BC and 86 BC.
4 Whether or not Ts'ai Lun was the actual inventor of paper, he deserves the place of honor he has been given in Chinese history for his role in developing a material that revolutionized his country.
5 Early Chinese paper appears to have been made by from a suspension of hemp waste in water, washed, soaked, and beaten to a pulp with a wooden mallet
6 A paper mold, probably a sieve of coarsely woven cloth stretched in a four-sided bamboo frame, was used to dip up the fiber slurry from the vat and hold it for drying
7 Eventually, tree bark, bamboo, and other plant fibers were used in addition to hemp.
8 The first real advance in papermaking came with the development of a smooth material for the mold covering, which made it possible for the papermaker to free the newly formed sheet and reuse the mold immediately.
9 This covering was made from thin strips of rounded bamboo stitched or laced together with silk, flax, or animal hairs.
10 Other Chinese improvements in papermaking include the use of starch as a sizing material and the use of a yellow dye which doubled as an insect repellent for manuscript paper.
11 From China, papermaking moved to Korea, where production of paper began as early as the 6th century AD. Pulp was prepared from the fibers of hemp, rattan, mulberry, bamboo, rice straw, and seaweed
12 According to tradition, a Korean monk named Don-cho brought papermaking to Japan by sharing his knowledge at the Imperial Palace in approximately AD 610, sixty years after Buddhism was introduced in Japan.
13 The Japanese first used paper only for official records and documentation, but with the rise of Buddhism, demand for paper grew rapidly.
14 Taught by Chinese papermakers, Tibetans began to make their own paper as a replacement for their traditional writing materials.
15 The shape of Tibetan paper books still reflects the long, narrow format of the original palm-leaf books.

Paper invented over 2000 years ago in ChinaOrigami first recognized in 1st century AD China